Local school district superintendents are statutorily required to report
such incidences to TEA and local law enforcement agencies (in those cases where
potential criminal charges are involved). Any report of an inappropriate
relationship should be taken seriously, handled appropriately at the local
level, and reported to TEA to assure proper sanctions and safeguards can be
taken for the protection of students in all Texas districts.

“Anyone reporting such an incident to local school administrators –
especially students and parents – must be confident that their report will be
investigated fully and impartially,” said Commissioner of Education Michael
Williams. “Everyone who works with students in schools across our state holds a
position of trust that should never be called into question.”

TEA investigates reports of inappropriate educator-student relationships,
working with school district officials as well as local law enforcement. Over
the past three school years, the number of investigations opened by TEA staff
specifically on allegations of inappropriate relationships has increased, from
141 in 2009-10 to 179 in 2013-14. Under the state penal code, a school district
employee commits a second-degree felony if he or she engages in sexual contact
with a student who is not their spouse, even if that student is 18 years of
age.

A person who serves as the superintendent of a school district or the
director of an open-enrollment charter school, private school or regional
education service center is required by law to promptly notify TEA or the State
Board of Educator Certification (SBEC) in writing of any educator misconduct
that results in termination or resignation.

If a termination or resignation is based on an act of misconduct, a
superintendent must report the situation to TEA within seven days. A settlement
with a departing employee does not alter the superintendent's responsibility to
report the information. A superintendent who fails to report the required
information within the statutorily-required seven days faces possible sanctions
including reprimand, suspension or revocation of the superintendent's
certificate.

The Texas Educators' Code of Ethics provides rules for standard
practices and ethical conduct toward students, professional colleagues, school
officials, parents and members of the community. The Code specifically calls on
teachers to refrain from inappropriately communicating with students through
the use of social media. Over recent years, electronic communication (such as
cell phone, text messaging, email, instant messaging, blogging, or other social
network communication) has provided a private method to contact students during
and after school hours.

Parents play an essential role in helping to monitor any communication via
social media directly to their child. While group communication (such as to an
entire class regarding homework, changes in practice times to all athletic team
members) can serve a valid purpose, direct emails, texts or instant messaging
to students should be discouraged at both the school and parental level. Many
local school districts have adopted social media policies to clearly define
appropriate uses of modern communication technology.

TEA has produced a series of training videos regarding the ethical behavior of all personnel on
school campuses. The training videos are available for district use. The TEA
website also has an area dedicated to TEA's and SBEC's role and
responsibilities in overseeing the conduct of Texas educators. In addition,
anyone seeking to review a superintendent's responsibilities in reporting
inappropriate relationships can view them here.